Maria's Weight loss journal
Weigh ins/pounds lost
January 27, 2000 - 350+ lbs. (00)
February 8, 2000 - 333 1/2 lbs. (16.5)
February 15, 2000 - 328 1/2 lbs. (21.5)
March 7, 2000 - 314 lbs. (36)
April 10, 2000 - 296 lbs. (54)
May 30, 2000 - 269 lbs (81)
October 5, 2000 - 225 lbs (125)
January 27, 2000
Today was one of the most embarassing days of my life. I had to be weighed before my surgery and the scales only went up to 350 pounds. When I stepped on them, the nurse tried to weigh me but she couldn't. Apparently, I weighed even more than that. So, I don't have an exact figure to go by to keep track of how much I am losing. I could just cry. I always told myself that I would never get that big. What happened? I honestly can't answer that. I just hope this surgery works. I'm afraid I am going to die of a heart attack. Please Lord, help me lose this weight. I'm only 28 years old. I don't want to die yet.
February 1
Well, I spent five days in the hospital. I was never so glad to get home in all my life. You don't realize the predjudice against obese people until you've had major surgery. The nurses don't want to help you for fear of hurting themselves or just because they don't want to. Anyway, I'm glad to be home where I've got my family to help me geth through this. I go back to the doctor soon. Guess I'll see then if I have lost any weight.
February 3,2000
I'm getting sick of drinking this ensure. I want something with a little more substance. Maybe I will try some soft foods. I don't think it would hurt. Maybe some soup or jello.
February 4, 2000
Well, I was just taught a major lesson. The doctor told me no solid food yet and I thought "well a little won't hurt, wrong again!!! The porcelain god just shared my lunch with me. Back to ensure and water until I see her again. That's only 4 days away, so I will just have to hold out a little longer. Please God, give me the strength.
February 8, 2000
I can't believe it!!!!! I'm at 333 1/2. So I know for sure that Ive lost at least 17 1/2 pounds. I'm sure most of that was because I can't have solid foods. She wants me to stay on ensure and water for another week. I could just puke when I think about ensure, but I'm going to try to do what she says. I am so sore. I don't have alot of energy. This surgery just wiped me out. I hope how soon I get some strength back.
February 15, 2000
Well, I have lost a few more pounds. She (being the doctor) seems to be pleased with my progress. She wants me to start exercising. So, Im going to try walking. I walked today and could only walk 3/10 of a mile. She wants me to work my way up to a mile a day. She told me to start out slow and to only exercise 3 times a week. She said if I try to do to much I will get discouraged and give up. But If I start out slow and work my way up, I will have better success. I haven't been writing as often as I should. I don't have a set of scales. I haven't owned a pair in years, so I'm writing when I go to the doctor for a weigh in.
March 7, 2000
Well, I'm still losing. I am almost back to the weight that I was when my 5 year old daughter was born. I am up to 1/2 mile three times a week now. I know that isn't much, but when you could hardly walk 2 blocks, it's pretty good. I'm not so sure about this solid food thing. I get sick everytime I eat. I'm not sure if I'm eating to fast or not chewing it up well enough. They told me I had to chew each bite at least 30 times. Maybe I should call the doctor. Maybe there is something wrong. I will let you know as soon as I find out.
March 8, 2000
Well, I called the doctor. She said that was part of learning how to eat again. So, I am either eating to fast or not chewing up enough. So, now I have to experiment to see what the problem is. She said that it was pretty common for that to happen. I also had to start on my vitamins. Children's chewables are nasty!! Now I know why my kids don't want to take them. Yuck!!
April 10, 2000
Ok, so I think I have figured it out. I think I have been eating to fast. I am supposed to take 45 minutes for a meal. Well, I am only eating about three bites at a time. So, I thought I'd eat those three bites and get the meal over with. I'm not hungry, so eating has just become a task to get done. Now, I am trying to take more time to eat and I have been throwing up alot less. I cried on my way home from the doctor's office today. I am under 300 pounds. I haven't been under 300 in over 5 or 6 years. I am so amazed. I actually wanted to get on the scales today. I was excited to do it. For the first time in my life, I have a reason to get on there and be proud. I have been receiving so many complements lately. Sometimes it's embarassing, but it's better than being told that "you'll never be really small". That's what my boss told me. He hurt my feelings. Sometimes, I wonder if he does it on purpose. Oh, I almost forgot. I am up to 1 1/2 miles three times a week now. I feel like I have been given a new lease on life so to speak. Can't wait to go to the doctor in May!!!
May 12, 2000
I haven't had a very good day today. It seems like I have thrown up everything I have eaten today. Now that I have everything out of my stomach, I feel ok. Plus to top everything off, my hair is coming out by the handfuls. I thought I was doing so well. My doctor told me to expect that to happen. It is caused by not getting enough protein. Maybe I should get some of those protein drinks and try them. I can't keep losing my hair like this. Pretty soon, there wont be any left. Well, I go back to the doctor in two weeks for another weigh in. I am curious about how much I weigh. My high school reunion should be this summer (10 years). I would really like to go and shock everyone. I doubt that will happen because I am just now getting down to the size I was in high school. No one will notice anything different. Oh well.
May 30, 2000
I was supposed to go to the doctor last Tuesday, but she had a death in the family so my appointment was resceduled for today. I am down to 269 pounds. That is +81 pounds total. I can't wait for my 10 year high school reunion, which should be in June or July. I want to see the look on everyone's face. I am smalller now than I was in Jr High School. My biggest concern now is keeping my hair. It is coming out by the handfuls. So, its back to yogurt for breakfast every morning and whatever else protein I can get throughout the day. If I keep losing my hair I am not going to go to my high school reunion. I wish I knew what I could do to make it stop coming out. I tried protein bars, GROSS!!! I couldn't stand to eat them. Maybe I should eat more peanut butter. Well til next time.....
October 5, 2000
It has been a long time since I have written anything. I have regained my life somewhat. I am working full time during the day, part time as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, and I am also involved with the girlscouts. It is so hard to believe all the energy I have now. I actually feel human. Now, when I get tired, it is because I have actually done something to warrant it, not because I'm fat. I still have a little ways to go. The weightloss has slowed down somewhat. I'm going to have to exercise more to lose the remaining pounds I think. I have got to condition myself to that. I got a new haircut to try to help cover the hairloss. I am still pretty thin on top due to the surgery. I think it has stopped falling out, but the growing back part is extremely slow. I have been taking better care of myself now. I am wearing makeup, thus the new career with Mary Kay. I actually went and had my nails done. I feel ALIVE for the first time in over a decade. I am so full of myself, lol. More later........